Our History

In 1889, as the 20th largest city in the nation, Louisville was a major industrial and mercantile center bordering the northern and southern regions of the United States. Modern conveniences such as telephones and light bulbs were becoming commonplace and electric trolleys, streetcars, railroad lines and river port access eased the transportation of goods and materials in and out of the community. In the midst of all this activity Samuel D. Cruse decided to go into business for himself.

While working for a merchant dealing in hides, wool and feathers, Mr. Cruse concluded there was a market for mattresses and pillows in Louisville's downtown furniture stores. He formed the Louisville Pillow and Mattress Company, eventually moving operations to the 500 block of Main Street. Advertisements circa 1900 list the Louisville Pillow Company as the "largest manufacturer in the South of fine mattresses, wool and cotton comforters, and pillows". In 1903 Mr. Cruse incorporated the business as the Louisville Pillow Company, eventually selling his interest to a group of investors. As technology advances swept the country and World War I dominated the headlines, the Louisville Pillow Company continued to grow and build its operations, eventually changing its name to the Louisville Bedding Company in 1917. The company emerged from the depression years with approximately 200 employees, and many publicly acknowledged how fortunate they were to be Louisville Bedding employees during the nation's dark years. "We had a pay check every week. We were never laid off. That's when I first began to realize the kind of company I was working for."

In the 1950s consumer spending trends affected the company's product line and the Mattress Division was sold and replaced with a Comfort Division focusing on quilts, bedspreads, dust ruffles, drapes and mattress pads. Because of this diversification, the three-tiered flounced bedspread was introduced in the 1960s. The three-toned spread dominated the national market for close to a decade and launched the company into the decorative home furnishings market. The fashion line, formerly known as Reed Handcrafts, designed decorative toss-pillows, chair pads, placemats, napkins and other items to meet the ever-changing decorative trends of American consumers.  The company discontinued manufacturing fashion products shortly after the turn of the millennium.

In 1963 the company broke ground for what has become a 268,000 square foot facility in Munfordville, Kentucky. The plant was built specifically for the manufacture of mattress pads, and today the facility boasts the distinction of being the largest mattress pad manufacturing plant in the world. On average, 25,000-28,000 pads a day are produced at the plant.

After a brief foray into the furniture moving pad business, bed pillows returned to the product mix in the 1990s and today Louisville Bedding Company provides a full-line of pillows to complement the comfort preferences of both domestic and international consumers. The main bed pillow plant is located in Louisville, KY.

As Louisville Bedding Company grows into its second century, it continues to expand its operations to accommodate the manufacturing and shipping requirements of its customer base. The manufacture of mattress pads and bed pillows began at the company's Ontario, California facility in the late 1990s. Established more than forty years ago as a small distribution center to service West Coast customers, the operation has expanded and moved several times since opening its doors and today resides in a 223,000 square foot building.

In 1999 Louisville Bedding Company purchased AHF Aerated Home Furnishings Ltd in Montreal, Canada. This wholly owned subsidiary provides the company with a manufacturing and distribution point for Canadian and northern U.S. customers.

Over the years the Louisville Bedding Company has grown and responded to the calls for change with amazing success. By investing in technology, implementing innovative marketing approaches and providing employees with valuable education and skills enhancement, we have come a long way from the foundation established by Samuel Cruse in 1889. We are proud of our strong presence as a national and international source for quality home textiles and look forward to the future with optimism.